The associations of Workload, Individual and Organizational Factors on Nurses' Occupational Injuries.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and type of occupational injuries in nurses and their associations with workload, working shift, and nurses' individual and organizational factors.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are vulnerable to occupational injuries due to the nature of their job.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional correlational design (based on STROBE Statement) was conducted.

METHODS: This study was conducted among 616 nurses of four public hospitals located in four different provinces in Iran. Data were collected using three questionnaires including an organizational and demographic questionnaire, an occupational injuries checklist and the NASA-TLX questionnaire (about mental workload). Chi square, one-way ANOVA and multivariate logistic regression was used in SPSS version 23.0 for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Blood and body fluid exposures had the highest prevalence (47.4%) among all injuries. Needle stick injuries showed a significant relation with gender, age, number of shifts in a month and work experience. With increase in mental workload, needle stick injuries increases by 35%. Also, injuries reported by nurses working in rotating shifts were 15-53% more than nurses working in fixed shifts.

CONCLUSION: Working in rotating shifts and work overload was significantly related to all injuries. Decreasing nurses' mental workload, introducing guidelines and efficient training in shift work schedules can help decrease occupational injuries among nurses.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: In order to reduce occupational injuries among nurses, in addition to incorporating advanced management and technology, it is necessary to pay attention to psychosocial, individual and organizational risk factors related to occupational injuries and their frequency in nurses. Also, reducing personnel's mental and occupational pressure should be considered. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.